5 talking points from India's team selection for the ODI, T20I series against England

The Virat Kohli-era has begun, and the Indian Cricket Team has been announced. The selectors have gone ahead and picked a team which is a mixture of youth and experience, and are fairly confident in the team.

With MS Dhoni relinquishing captaincy, it would be interesting to see how the team responds to Virat Kohli at the helm. There is little doubt that this team is more a reflection of Kohli than Dhoni, and thus it was only fair that Kohli be given charge of the team.

MSK Prasad, the chief of selectors sounded pretty optimistic about the team and believed that this team has the best group of players at the moment. With the England Team being one of the best against white ball, the series would be an interesting watch.

Here are the 5 talking points from today’s team selection!

#5 The middle order conundrum

The team management finds itself in a muddle, but this time the problem is a promising one. The team has plenty of options in the middle order and with only 3 ODIs in the series it would be interesting to see the combination the management goes ahead with.

Also, with the Champions Trophy being only 6 months old and with the Indian team not playing any ODI series after this series, this is a real tight corner in which the team finds itself in.

However, the problem of plenty is always a good problem to have.

#4 Ajinkya Rahane axed from T20 squad

End of Rahane’s T20I carrer?

There were always concerned over the strike rate of Ajinkya Rahane in the shortest format and many believed that he is not cut out for the format. The selectors have decided to exclude him from the T20 squad, and this could be a big message to the Mumbai-boy.

There is little doubt over the potential of Rahane in Test matches, but his performances have been very sporadic against the white ball, and while he is in the 50-overs squad, his exclusion from the T20 side could actually signal the end of his career from the shortest format.

#3 Suresh Raina only in T20 side

Fresh lease of life?

Suresh Raina has taken the opposite route and the selectors have not included him in the ODI squad. However, Raina is an integral member of the T20 side, but his performances would certainly be under the scanner for two reasons.

First, the Champions Trophy is only 6 months away and India would love to have him in the mix since his record in England is quite impressive. Also, he keeps his cool in crucial conditions and would be an ideal foil for MS Dhoni lower down the order.

#2 Yuvraj Singh is back

Another go ahead!

Yes, the fighter is back, once again. Eyebrows raised?

Most definitely yes, but his stats have been strong has the selectors believe he can contribute to the Team’s cause once again. He has been included in both the T20 and the ODI squad and this is probably a reflection of Virat Kohli the skipper, who wants experience in the middle order.

In 5 matches this Ranji season, the southpaw has scored 672 runs at an average of 84, which includes 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries. The stats do back him, but Yuvraj would know that this could be his final opportunity to send a message, as there are plenty of youngsters snapping away at his heels.

#1 MS Dhoni playing under captain Virat Kohli

The beginning of the Kohli-era

It is now official, the Virat Kohli-era has begun and he now has the time to mould this team according to his ethos. And Mahendra Singh Dhoni would now be playing under him. Would it be strange? Most definitely yes, but these are very exciting times for Indian cricket.

There would no person who would be better to guide Virat Kohli in limited overs than Dhoni. Also, with the removal of the added responsibility of captaincy, would we see a rejuvenated Dhoni in his swashbuckling manner?

So many questions and hence the upcoming series promises to be one intriguing affair!